Cav For California not Giro

Isle of Man cyclist Mark Cavendish will not compete in this year's Giro D'Italia - the second most important race on the calendar after the Tour de France.

Instead, he will line-up for the Tour of California.

Cav has won six stages of the Giro in the past two seasons.

Cav's HTC Columbia Team says the disruption to his early season race and training programme, caused by dental problems and illness, has led to a reconsideration of the best way to prepare for the Tour de France.

Team manager Bob Stapleton says "we believe Mark will be very strong at the Tour de France and for the balance of the season. He will join the team in California and we are very optimistic about his chances for success there."